Aetna, Georgia Public Broadcasting Begin Campaign to Fight Childhood Obesity in the State

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aetna (NYSE: AET) and Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) have kicked off a 12-month statewide multi-media campaign to raise awareness of the increased risks of childhood obesity.

Funded by a $50,000 grant from the Aetna Foundation, the campaign will include community health events in Atlanta, Macon, Savannah and Columbus; a series of television and radio spots; and a 60-minute television special that will air tonight.

During last night’s TV special, an expert panel discussed causes and solutions to the epidemic of childhood obesity that is plaguing Georgia. A GPB phone bank and on-line chat connected viewers with a group of experts led by the Georgia Department of Community Health.

“With the help of great organizations such as GPB and Aetna, we will continue to provide educational resources that improve the wellness of Georgia’s children,” said Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Georgia Public Broadcasting will host a community health event Sept. 26 in Atlanta. Other events are scheduled Oct. 2 in Augusta, Nov. 7 in Macon and Nov. 14 in Savannah. An additional community health event will be scheduled in Columbus on a date to be determined.

Dr. Neal Shulman, the real-life “Doc Hollywood” whose story inspired the 1991 Michael J. Fox movie of the same name, will be featured at all of the events, educating children and their parents about the importance of healthy lifestyle choices in a fun and entertaining way. He also produced and is featured in the public service announcements being used as part of the campaign. Dr. Shulman lives in the Atlanta area and teaches at Emory University.

"GPB's collaboration with Aetna is one example of how we're fulfilling our mission of providing programs and services that are enriching to children and families," said GPB President and Executive Director Teya Ryan. "We're proud to use all of our media platforms to bring attention to this important issue."

In 2008 Aetna and the Aetna Foundation awarded community grants and sponsorships in Georgia totaling $725,000, with a particular focus on diabetes and related conditions. Year to date for 2009, they have awarded $596,000 for similar programs. Aetna provides health benefits to more than 600,000 people in Georgia.

“Obesity is a major health challenge, one that is diminishing the quality of life of people in our community,” said Cynthia Follmer, president of Aetna’s Georgia market. “Our children, particularly those from lower-income families, are particularly at risk. Working with Georgia Public Broadcasting, we’re committed to doing what we can to get people thinking about what they can do to combat obesity, and to provide support as they make the necessary dietary and lifestyle changes.”

According to a National Health and Nutrition survey, 2.7 million U.S. children are severely obese. The rate of severe childhood obesity has tripled over the past 25 years, putting increasing numbers of children at risk for diabetes and heart disease. In Georgia, 24 percent of school children are obese by the time they enter third grade, according to a recent report issued by the Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health.

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Narconon Launches 'Operation Medicine Cabinet' in Georgia - Prescription Drugs Commonly Abused Targeted

/PRNewswire/ -- Operation Medicine Cabinet, a campaign sponsored by Narconon Drug Rehab of Georgia and a local Sheriff's department, provides individuals with a safe way to properly dispose of unused and potentially dangerous medication. Proper control and disposal of potentially dangerous medication is vital, due to the trend of prescription drug abuse with youth.

Every day 2,500 youngsters age 12 to 17 try a painkiller for the first time and prescription drugs are more abused by teens than any illicit street drug, except for marijuana. This is according to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Kids think that taking prescription drugs and over the counter medication for their next high is safer than street drugs and they are easy to get according to a survey done by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA). This recent survey found that one in five teens can get prescription drugs within an hour and the most common source is their own home or friends.

This same survey found that two thirds of kids report that drugs are used, kept or sold at their school.

These "friends" or classmates providing the drugs are not likely to report the truth about abusing prescription drugs. That truth is that abuse can lead to paranoia, drug addiction, seizures or even death.

The goal of "Operation Medicine Cabinet" is to enlighten the community on the dangers of prescription drug abuse and to provide a safe means to curtail it. Some kids will already need treatment and their families will be provided with information as to how to get it.

Mary Rieser, the Director of Narconon of Georgia stated, "We used to look to the schools to provide drug education. Now, statistics show that the schools actually need our help. Obviously, with so many drugs passing hands at school, the kids are not learning the truth about prescription drug abuse and many of their parents are unwittingly contributing to it. 'Operation Medicine Cabinet' provides an outside source of help to schools, kids and parents. If this campaign is aggressively run in every major city we can make a huge dent on the prescription drug abuse problem. Too many kids are getting addicted and too many have died. It is time to do something about it."

For more information on "Operation Medicine Cabinet" and how you can have this campaign in your community, contact Narconon of Georgia at 770-379-0208.

Note: We received several emails regarding this article indicating it was linked to Scientology. We did a bit of brief research and here are some links and intros with further information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narconon
Narconon was established February 19, 1966 as a drug-rehabilitation program based on "The Fundamentals of Thought" by L. Ron Hubbard and delivered to drug abusers in the Arizona State Prisons. The name "Narconon" originally referred not to an organization but to the program. Its creator was William C. Benitez, a former inmate at Arizona State Prison who had served time for narcotics offenses.[2] His work was supported by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, and in 1972 Hubbard sponsored the incorporation of Narconon as an organization.[3] It was co-founded by Benitez and two Scientologists, Henning Heldt and Arthur Maren.
The Narconon website reports that from its inception the program promoted an approach to rehabilitation without recourse to alternative drugs. This early program did not, however, deal directly with withdrawal symptoms. In 1973, the Narconon program adopted procedures to include drug-free withdrawal, using vitamins and mineral supplements in tandem with training procedures adapted from basic courses in Scientology.[3]

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Narconon/

http://www.narconon.org/ (Read "About" and "History")

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Georgia Plans Labor Day Operation Zero Tolerance Campaign

The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) will launch its Labor Day Operation Zero Tolerance (OZT) campaign with a kickoff news conference on August 28.

Regional traffic enforcement networks will conduct sobriety checkpoints, concentrated patrols and impaired driving campaign media events around the state to announce the OZT holiday travel period initiative.

During the more than two week long enforcement campaign, Georgia law enforcement will also line up at State Welcome Centers to greet motorists as part of the 18th annual Hands Across the Border highway safety awareness campaign. Georgia police will join partners from five border states to crack down on impaired driving and send the message that safe driving doesn't stop at the state line. For more information, visit www.gahighwaysafety.org.

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One Million Americans - and Counting - Come Out Against President Obama's Health Care Plan

/PRNewswire/ -- The National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) and Salem Radio Network announced today the 1 millionth signature on their joint "Free Our Health Care Now" petition calling on Congress to stop the nationalization of the American health care system.

The millionth signature milestone comes just over a week after President Obama reached a million signers on his health reform petition, funded and promoted by the Democratic National Committee's "Organizing for America."

"It seems we have a horserace," said NCPA President and Kellye Wright Fellow John C. Goodman. "This national debate over how best to repair a dysfunctional health care system has evolved into trench warfare between government vs. patient and doctor controlled health care."

The petition, available at www.freeourhealthcarenow.com, was launched on May 25 by Salem Radio Network, with the team of Mike Gallagher, Bill Bennett, Hugh Hewitt, Michael Medved, Dennis Prager and Janet Parshall, who reach millions of listeners each week and cover 90 percent of the United States. The NCPA, a leader in public policy research for over 25 years, provided the content and analysis on almost all facets of the debate, including educational guidance on the framing and substance of the petition itself.

"This is and continues to be an amazing response from a large segment of the American people," explained SRN president Greg Anderson. "Talk radio is at the epicenter of public opinion and citizens from all across the country are making their concerns known loud and clear."

"None of this could have happened without the expertise, acumen and dedication of the NCPA, and its CEO and President, Dr. John Goodman. His knowledge of health care, his experience in policy debate, and the great team he has built at the NCPA all were integral to this great educational success. The more our audience learned about the health care landscape, the more disenchanted our audience became with President Obama's desire for a so called 'public option,' and with his rush to get health care reform completed by the end of the summer."

"We are thrilled that our educational outreach with Salem Radio Network led to such a surge of interest in this topic," said Dr. Goodman. "Healthcare represents 17 percent of the economy, and the NCPA has long argued that placing government in control of health care would result in significant declines in access, choice and quality of care."

The Free Our Health Care Now petition will be delivered to Congress in late August, and at current signing rates, may become the biggest petition delivered to Capitol Hill since Newt Gingrich delivered 1.3 million signatures to Congress last summer as a part of American Solution's "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less" campaign.

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Pints for Pandas

As of July 28, Zoo Atlanta has raised a total of $61,000 in support of the Give So They Stay campaign. Now, lovers of the beloved black-and-white bears and followers of award-winning local brews can add momentum to the cause, merely by raising a glass! Join friends and fans at Pints for Pandas, a special tasting event held at SweetWater Brewing Company on Friday, August 14 at 9 p.m. SweetWater Brewery is located at 195 Ottley Drive in Atlanta. Ticket proceeds will directly benefit Zoo Atlanta’s global grassroots initiative to keep giant pandas in Atlanta. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased through PayPal at www.pintsforpandas.blogspot.com

Can’t join us for a pint? Learn more about other ways to help! Stay tuned to the Give So They Stay campaign website at www.givesotheystay.org for ongoing news, announcements and special updates on new and convenient ways to ensure that Zoo Atlanta’s giant panda family continues to have a home in Atlanta.

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Zoo Atlanta Launches Campaign to Keep Giant Pandas in Atlanta

Zoo officials announced the launch of Give So They Stay, a major fundraising effort to keep giant pandas in Atlanta. President & CEO Dennis Kelly made the announcement this morning from inside an empty giant panda habitat in the Zoo’s Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Giant Panda Conservation Center.

“Giant pandas have been an important part of Zoo Atlanta’s collection and a source of Atlanta pride for 10 years, and we are a national leader in the care and study of this species,” said Kelly. “Without significant support from our community, our giant panda family will have to return to China in the near future.”

Zoo Atlanta is one of only four zoos in the U.S. currently housing the critically endangered species, of which fewer than 1,600 are believed to remain in the wild. The Zoo’s adult giant pandas, Lun Lun and Yang Yang, arrived from China in November 1999 on a 10-year loan, achieving instant celebrity as two of Atlanta’s most recognized animal stars. The pair’s offspring, Mei Lan, 2, and Xi Lan, 9 months, were the only giant panda cubs born in the U.S. in 2006 and 2008.

The Give So They Stay campaign is focused on ensuring that Lun Lun, Yang Yang and Xi Lan continue to have a home in Atlanta, where they have become beloved by thousands of friends and fans around the world. Mei Lan, who turns 3 on September 6, has already been recommended to return China, where she will be a new and important contributor to the global captive population of giant pandas.

Friends of Zoo Atlanta’s giant pandas are encouraged to visit a new campaign website, www.givesotheystay.org, for program information, support vehicles and answers to frequently asked questions. The Give So They Stay effort will continue through December 31, 2009.

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Usher Joins Denzel Washington and Other Prominent Alumni in Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Advocacy Campaign

/PRNewswire / -- As part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's (BGCA) new advocacy campaign -- BE GREAT -- five-time Grammy award winner, philanthropist and Boys & Girls Club alumnus Usher today unveiled a new billboard featuring his childhood picture and a call-to-action -- BE ICONIC. Usher joins some 25 prominent alumni in the new advocacy campaign to help increase public awareness and understanding about the positive impact of Clubs.

From academic failure and gang violence to poverty, drugs and obesity, America's youth face a daunting array of problems -- with serious consequences and fewer safety nets at home and in the community. According to a 2007 BGCA alumni survey conducted by Harris Interactive, 57 percent of alumni reported, "The Club saved my life," while another 28 percent credited Boys & Girls Clubs with keeping them in school.

"Growing up in the Club, I had the chance to experience a lot of positive things; it helped reinforce the values I learned at home including good character, leadership and giving back to my community, my country and my world," said Usher. "It's where I developed my love of singing and performing, received help with my homework, and it's where I found a safe place to go after school."

Usher's theme -- BE ICONIC -- ties to the singer's profile as an award-winning, multi-platinum musical icon and a positive role model, and will serve as a source of inspiration for all young people to BE GREAT. This year celebrates the fifth anniversary of the 2004 top-selling album Confessions, which went on to sell more than 10 million copies in the United States, and has been certified diamond in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

In addition to unveiling the billboard, Usher recently visited the Brookhaven Boys & Girls Club in Atlanta where he was greeted by screams from more than 200 young members. He addressed the crowd with a simple message: "work hard to achieve your goals and you can accomplish anything you set your mind to." During his visit he taped a short film about the positive impact the Club played in his life, which will be the first of several films of prominent alumni for BGCA. The film will debut on BGCA's Web site www.BeGreatAmerica.org in May, and will also appear on BGCA's social networking pages including Facebook and YouTube.

Other Club alumni joining Usher in the BE GREAT advocacy campaign include: Academy award-winning actor and national spokesperson for BGCA -- Denzel Washington, Muhammad Ali, Ashanti, Swin Cash, Gen. Wesley Clark, Bill Clinton, Bill Cosby, Cuba Gooding Jr., Michael Jordan, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Queen Latifah, Mario Lopez, John Mellencamp, Edward James Olmos, Shaquille O'Neal, Smokey Robinson, Martin Sheen, John Singleton, Ruben Studdard, Courtney B. Vance, Mark Wahlberg and Kerry Washington.

On May 14, Usher will be inducted into BGCA's prestigious Alumni Hall of Fame (AHOF) at the organization's 103rd National Conference in Atlanta.

"We are very excited about Usher joining our BE GREAT campaign and the awareness he will bring to the effectiveness of our generation-changing programs," said BGCA President and CEO Roxanne Spillett. "He is a shining example of the impact of Clubs, and we are so proud of the great things he has gone on to accomplish."

Usher will collaborate with BGCA and other alumni to urge the country's political and business leaders to make the young people of America a priority and encourage every citizen to make a difference by supporting organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs -- ensuring that every child has a safe, supervised and structured environment during the critical after-school hours.

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Be a Fan of Special Olympics Georgia athletes and join the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign

/PRNewswire / -- Special Olympics Georgia announced a new youth-lead effort - Spread the Word to End the Word - 3.31.09, encouraging people to pledge to stop using the derogatory word "retard."

Tuesday, March 31 will be devoted to educating and raising awareness about individuals with intellectual disabilities and the offensive use of the "R-word" in casual conversation all across the country. Spread the Word to End the Word is a collaborative promotion engaging Special Olympics leaders, celebrities, opinion leaders and the media.

In Georgia, radio ads discouraging the use of the "R-word" featuring Atlanta Hawks forward Marvin Williams have played on stations in metro Atlanta throughout the year leading up to today. Williams has also appeared in print ads and in radio interviews saying "I don't use the R-word." In addition, Facebook users are encouraged to update their status to "I don't use the R-word. Visit www.r-word.org."

Actor John C. McGinley, who plays Dr. Cox on the television show "Scrubs," and Ambassador of the National Down Syndrome Society, pledged his support for Spread the Word to End the Word after meeting with more than 130 young adults during a Special Olympics Global Youth Activation Summit in February held in conjunction with the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.

"Most people don't think of this word as the language of hate, but that's exactly what it feels like to millions of people with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends," said McGinley, who has a son, Max, with Down Syndrome. McGinley has also appeared on The Bonnie Hunt Show and TV Guide Network promoting this endeavor.

McGinley added, "I choose to believe that most of us are fundamentally good and that we're just not aware that the word is offensive and that it hurts."

McGinley and young people want to change casual conversation and help eliminate the demeaning use of the R-word from today's popular youth vernacular and replace it with a different r-word - "respect." Across the country, students and schools across the country will unite to challenge everyone to think before they speak.

A week of campaigning will include posters and word-of-mouth encouraging everyone to pledge to stop the use of the word at www.r-word.org. Youth have set a goal to garner 100,000 online pledges through this campaign.

Special Olympics, Inc. launched its activities and Web site www.r-word.org to eliminate the demeaning use of the R-word in today's society in August 2008 when the film "Tropic Thunder" hit theatres. Special Olympics, along with a coalition of 17 disability organizations throughout the country including National Down Syndrome Society, American Association of People with Disabilities, The Arc of the United States and Best Buddies spoke out against the film, which featured the prominent use of the R-word.

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Efficiency and Conservation Key to Meeting Rising Energy Demand, Southern Company CEO Says

Energy efficiency and conservation will play an increasingly important role in meeting rising energy demand, said Southern Company (NYSE:SO) Chairman, President and CEO David M. Ratcliffe during the National Association of Regulators and Utility Commissioner's Anybody Can Serve, So Let's Conserve energy efficiency campaign launch. Ratcliffe also noted that along with efficiency and conservation as first choices, a diverse portfolio of generation resources including renewables, new nuclear and advanced coal technologies would be crucial in meeting customers' electricity needs......More

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Mediacom to Bring C-Span's 'Campaign 2008' Bus to Valdosta

Prior to heading north to Washington, DC for President-Elect Obama’s Inauguration, the C-SPAN Campaign 2008 bus will be visiting Valdosta on Thursday, December 11th.

After making a stop at Valdosta Technical College, it will spend time at Valdosta State University from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

The 45-foot mobile production studio has been on the campaign trail to promote and enhance C-SPAN’s comprehensive political coverage, traveling to major political events such as debates, national and state conventions as well as candidate speeches. During its travels the Bus also conducts civic educational programs for teachers and students. Since its January 2007 launch, the bus has been to 47 states and has been visited by over 116,000 people including 800 elected officials, 9,000 teachers, 60,000 students, and 5 presidential candidates.

“With historically high levels of interest in this year’s presidential election, we have had an exciting year on the road with the Campaign 2008 Bus,” said Scott Peterson, C-SPAN representative.

“Even though the election is over, the story has just begun. We hope to engage the Valdosta community to continue to follow the new Presidential administration and Congress through the resources of the non-profit C-SPAN networks," said Sally Bloom, senior manager for Government and Community Affairs for Mediacom”

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Special Olympics Georgia Launches Project UNIFY Initiative to Energize Youth

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA) received $60,000 in funding to support the overall outreach initiative of the organization as part of Special Olympics' new national program, Project UNIFY.

Project UNIFY is a year-long project to activate young people across the country in an effort to promote school communities where all young people are agents of change -- fostering respect, dignity and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics believes through sports young people can make a difference in friendships, schools and communities.

Project UNIFY promotes a cultural shift and positions Special Olympics as a leading cause among youth -- as important, not just "nice," and as relevant to each of us, not just for "them." In addition, Project UNIFY leadership activities will help develop the next generation of leaders and advocates for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

"This project is an excellent opportunity for our Programs to get directly involved in a grass-roots effort to increase the number of Special Olympics opportunities for youth with and without intellectual disabilities, while increasing the number of state-wide sustained Special Olympics partnerships with schools," said Bob Gobrecht, Special Olympics North America Managing Director. "The need for programs like the ones Special Olympics offers that encourage positive school climates with safe and nurturing environments for all students is clear, especially in light of how inappropriate and discriminatory words and actions are becoming more and more common in our society."

Special Olympics Programs throughout the United States were invited to apply for funds to implement Project UNIFY activities that meet the initiative's objectives through a competitive grant process. Special Olympics Georgia will use their funding to support the Young Athletes, Get Into It, Unified and Traditional sports programs.

All of these initiatives will attract children and adults with intellectual disabilities into the Special Olympics program. "Our goal is to make all eligible individuals aware of the many year-round ways to get involved in our sports training and competition programs throughout the state," said SOGA CEO Georgia Milton-Sheats.

Project UNIFY was made possible by $4.4 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to fiscal 2008 appropriations under the authority of HR5131, "The Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act," and the "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act" which Special Olympics International received in June 2008.

To kick off Project UNIFY, 17 young people from across the country, aged 14-20, with and without intellectual disabilities, assembled in Washington, D.C., on 18-20 September for the first meeting of Project UNIFY's Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). The committee met during the Department of Education's 2008 Global Summit on Education, the theme of which was "Inclusive Practices for Students with Disabilities."

In addition to forming the Youth Advisory Committee, other overall Project UNIFY goals include promoting the Special Olympics "R-word" campaign, implementing a U.S. Special Olympics grant process for local Special Olympics Programs, hosting a Global Youth Congress as part of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, and participating in national forums and conferences on intellectual disabilities and education.

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Emory University: McCain's Call to Halt Campaign Risky, Unprecedented

Two Emory University political scientists say Sen. John McCain's request to suspend campaign activities, delay the first debate with Sen. Barack Obama and concentrate on the economy is unprecedented, with no predictable outcomes.

"I have never heard of anything happening like this. I don’t see how McCain's decision to suspend his campaign and his desire to delay the debate are going to have an affect on the economy," says Emory political scientist Alan Abramowitz. "People really want to hear what the candidates have to say, and although foreign policy is supposed to be the topic, they can use the debates to talk about the economy."

"This is completely new territory, very interesting, high stakes politics,” says Emory political scientist Merle Black. "McCain's absence from the first debate, if it occurs, would be unprecedented and risky. It would give Barack Obama an opportunity to speak directly to Americans without opposition for 90 minutes."

"McCain's priority this week is helping resolve the current financial crisis rather than debating his opponent. His absence would indicate that a bipartisan bill that satisfies sufficient members of both parties has not been struck," Black says. "If McCain can help bring about a resolution of the crisis before Friday night, he is likely to appear in Mississippi and claim credit for leadership that transcends partisanship."

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Georgia Power's Refrigerator Art Wins National Contest, Kicks off Refrigerator Recycling Campaign

GFP Note: Be sure to visit http://www.recyclemyoldfridge.com/artfridges.aspx to view Georgia Power's winning entry. There are some great fridges to see at the site.

PRNewswire/ -- What do art and refrigerators have in common? In many households, the refrigerator is a place for grade school artwork, but usually not the stuff that wins national acclaim. However, in an effort to bring attention to energy conservation, Georgia Power took its vision of decorating a recycled refrigerator to a new level, creating artwork that got noticed.

Displayed August 25 to September 2 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., during the Department of Energy's ENERGY STAR(R) The Art of Recycling exhibition, Georgia Power won "Judges Choice" in a nationwide call for old refrigerator units that have been recycled and converted to very creative works. Georgia Power Product Manager Vicki Nichols accepted the top award on behalf of the company at a ceremony September 2 in Washington, D.C.

As part of the U.S. Department of Energy's ENERGY STAR Recycle My Old Fridge Campaign, Georgia Power's "slot machine fridge" was selected among artwork submitted by students, institutions, utility companies, private organizations, and individual artists across the country.

"Georgia Power's old recycled refrigerator was decorated using vinyl vehicle decals on the sides, brush aluminum framing on the front with black acrylic signs," said Nichols. "There is an actual slot machine metal token tray at the bottom with slot tokens in the tray. It seemed a fitting design as Georgia Power is promoting a 'jackpot' of energy savings worth more than $100 a year."

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Usher Raymond's 'I Can't But You Can' Voter Registration Campaign Goes National

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After a widely popular and successful run in Atlanta, GA, today Usher Raymond IV announces the national expansion of the "I Can't But You Can" voter registration campaign beginning August 21, 2008 in Detroit, MI. Held last month as part of the 4th Annual Camp New Look in partnership with Rev. Joseph Lowery, 350 youth completed curriculum based on the election/voting process and registered nearly 1,000 voters during the inaugural program.

As part of the "I Can't But You Can" campaign, on August 21 Usher and his New Look foundation are planning several events to build registration awareness and education to Detroit natives. In the morning, over 400 Detroit area youth are expected to participate in a voter registration drive and rally from numerous organizations including Youthville, Detroit NAACP, Mayor's Time, Youth Development Commission, LaSed, and the Derrick Coleman Foundation. Usher will also be on hand to rally 6,000 poll workers at a picnic in their honor encouraging them to lead by example and register to vote. In addition, the MGM Grand Detroit will be hosting a special reception and fundraiser to benefit Usher's New Look later in the evening. Tickets for the reception are available via Ticket Master.

The "I Can't But You Can" campaign geared towards youth age 17 and under, boasts a dual focus objective. Before youth can register voters under New Looks' initiative, they must first complete a 4-hour curriculum and training course on the voting process. "This election impacts ALL youth," says Usher. "I wanted to give teenagers more than the experience and satisfaction of registering voters; I wanted to give them knowledge that will engage them in our democratic process long after this election ends."

The "I Can't But You Can" campaign, which will also include multiple public service announcements, will branch out to additional cities on September 27th with rallies and drives held throughout the country. Lead by New Look youth as part of the National Day of Action (www.servicenation.org), confirmed cities include New Orleans, Cleveland, Atlanta, New York, Boston, Oakland, and Los Angeles.

Recently named the Youth Chair of ServiceNation, a national service campaign, Usher will represent young people from around the country who are committed to giving back to their communities. At the historic ServiceNation Summit in New York City on September 11th and 12th, Usher will serve as their voice while simultaneously raising awareness about the importance of national and community service. He will challenge America's youth to get involved and participate in activities both during and after the Summit.

Youth serving agencies can join the "I Can't But You Can" campaign by downloading the free empowerment kit from www.ushersnewlook.org. The kit includes campaign applications, Voting 101 curriculum, and report forms. T-shirts can also be purchased via UshersNewLook.org for $9.99 plus shipping and handling.

Usher's New look partners with youth serving agencies within the United States including Communities in Schools, Hank Stewart Foundation, SCLC Women, Future Foundation, and Lite House.

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Nader to Campaign in Georgia Friday July 25

Independent Presidential Candidate Ralph Nader
Nader/Gonzalez News Conference and Campaign Rally
Friday July 25, 5 p.m. News Conference and 5:30 p.m. Campaign Rally
University of Georgia, Master's Hall, 1127 South Lumpkin St., Athens, Ga. 30602

Independent Presidential Candidate Ralph Nader will make a campaign stop in Athens, Ga. Friday July 25 with a news conference scheduled for 5 p.m. and a campaign rally at 5:30 p.m., both to be held at the University of Georgia, Master's Hall, 1127 South Lumpkin St., Athens, Ga. 30602. Rally general admission will be a suggested contribution of $10/$5 student.

Mr. Nader will address issues major party candidates have taken "off the table" that the Nader/Gonzalez campaign has put on the table, including:

-a comprehensive, negotiated military and corporate withdrawal date from Iraq;
-a single-payer, Canadian-style, private delivery, free-choice public health insurance system for all;
-a living wage and repeal of the anti-union Taft-Hartley Act;
-a no-nuke, solar-based energy policy supported by renewable, sustainable, energy-efficient sources;
-a carbon tax to deter global warming;
-an end to the corporate welfare and corporate crime that has resulted in millions losing pensions, savings and jobs and squandered tax dollars; and,
-more direct democracy reflecting the preamble to our constitution which starts with "we the people," and not "we the corporations."

Aquarium Mascot Announces Candidacy for President

Deepo, Georgia Aquarium’s mascot, announced his presidential bid earlier this month in a press conference held at Georgia Aquarium. His swim for the presidential office is historic: Deepo represents the first garibaldi fish to enter a presidential race in history. Swimming under the Neptune Party’s campaign ticket, Deepo vowed to stand for every organism in the water column of this great blue planet.

Stephanie Green, campaign manager and Deepo’s first mate, spoke on behalf of Deepo, stating that “this will be an eco-friendly and sustainable campaign.” Green went on to say, “Deepo’s presidential campaign encompasses the true issues. It’s about time a presidential candidate made such promises!”

Deepo’s campaign promises include: standing for even the smallest phytoplankton and the largest right whale; ensuring clean reefs and beaches for retirement and future guppies; supporting research initiatives that educate and conserve; obtaining uni-quatic healthcare for all through the Correll Center for Aquatic Animal Health; providing an educational experience for each Georgia Aquarium guest; and, promoting educational initiatives like the Sponsored Education Admissions (SEA) program.

Deepo’s campaign has already received accolades throughout the aquatic community. Campaign supporters include: “Mayor Sturgeon Franklin,” who proclaimed, “There is nothing fishy about this candidate”; Georgia Aquarium jellies are excited to finally have a “candidate with a backbone”; “Eel Kovalchuk” exclaimed “Deepo is a candidate that won’t blow bubbles”; and “Ludafish” proclaimed “Finally, a candidate who seas clearly.”

Deepo’s campaign is funded through community support and Georgia Aquarium’s Oceans Society. Green encouraged those interested in supporting Deepo’s swim for the oval office to join Georgia Aquarium’s Oceans Society and contribute to the 4R Program. Supporters may join Deepo’s campaign on the web at deepo.org, visit Georgia Aquarium’s Members Entrance, or call campaign headquarters at 404-581-4010, and tell the campaign representative you want to support Deepo’s campaign by joining the Oceans Society.